Holland - More Leftwing Mayors Refuse Enforcing Burqa Ban

As we informed you, the leftwing Mayor of Amsterdam, Ms Femke Halsema, declared over the weekend that she did not feel the need for her city to enforce the burqa ban the parliament declared law over the summer. Stating to local television station AT5 she felt ‘it didn’t fit with the city’s spirit.’

The Mayor said police forces should be used for “more important issues.”

Her statements immediately led to great controversy in the Dutch government. VVD party leader Mr Klaas Dijkhoff said the mayor should be ashamed of not willing to follow the letter of the law, just like State Secretary Barbara Visser (Defense).

So mayor @femkehalsema feels she’s above the law, and doesn’t need to follow it? The Netherlands is going down the drain fast. We need new elections fast. Need to get rid of this government and everyone asociated with it #insane

However, it would now seem that not only the mayor of Amsterdam, but also those of the cities of Utrecht and Rotterdam refuse to apply the burqa ban. The Hague, the fourth largest city in the country, said it would like the government to consult with municipalities about the new law.

No priority

Rotterdam, ruled by a Muslim Mayor, wants to wait and see how the law will be explained.

But Minister Ollongren said: "All the laws that apply in the Netherlands also apply in Rotterdam."

The Rotterdam town hall declared that enforcing the ban would not be their highest priority. It would not be something for which agents go into the street.

AMSTERDAM MAYOR Femke Halsema, who promissed muslims she would not enforce burqa ban, is leaned on by central government to adhere to the law and enforce burqa and niqaab ban in public spaces.There are calls to have her DEPOSED on the grounds of being ANTI-DEMOCRATIC https://t.co/7P8gECQN6h

Meanwhile the city of The Hague claims that any enforcement of the law is 'premature' because the law is not yet in force. The municipality does however call on the government to consult with the municipalities before enacting it.

The Burqa ban law was approved by the Senate last June. The scope is rather limited: the law specifically prohibits face-covering clothing - such as balaclavas, niqabs or full-face helmets - in education, public transport, hospitals and government buildings.

Whoever breaks the rules can get a fine of more than €400 ($500). It is still unclear at this time when the law comes into force